Michael Rennie
Michael Rennie (born Eric Alexander Rennie; 25 August 1909 – 10 June 1971) was an English film, television and stage actor, perhaps best remembered for his starring role as the space visitor Klaatu in the science fiction film The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951). In a career spanning more than 30 years, Rennie appeared in more than 50 films and in several American television series.
You can find people similar to Michael Rennie by visiting our lists Royal Air Force pilots of World War II and Western (genre) television actors.
| Full name at birth | Eric Alexander Rennie
|
||
| Claim to fame | The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
|
||
| Date of birth | 25 August 1909
|
||
| Place of birth | Bradford, Yorkshire, England, UK
|
||
| Date of death | 10 June 1971
|
||
| Age | 61 (age at death)
|
||
| Place of death | Harrogate, England, UK
|
||
| Resting place | Harlow Hill Cemetery Harrogate, North Yorkshire
|
||
| Occupation | Actor, Producer
|
||
| Occupation category | |||
| Nationality |
PERSONAL DETAILS
| Height | 6' 4" (193 cm)
|
||
| Build | |||
| Hair color | |||
| Eye color |
 eye color
|
||
| Gender | |||
| Ethnicity | |||
| Sexuality | |||
| Religion |
religion
|
||
| Zodiac sign | |||
| Distinctive feature | Tall stature
|
|
|
| Pets |
pets
|
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
| High school | The Leys, Cambridge, England
|
|
|
| University |
university
|
||
| Talent agency |
talent agency
|
||
| Political affiliation |
political affiliation
|
||
| Political party |
political party
|
- Rennie was connected with the Titanic twice on screen. In 1953, he was the uncredited, off-screen narrator for Jean Negulesco's film "Titanic." Thirteen years later, in 1966, he played the role of Titanic Captain Edward J. Smith (misidentified in the credits as Malcolm Smith) in the pilot episode of the TV series "The Time Tunnel." Ironically, this episode used tinted stock footage from the earlier film to tell the story of two time travelers who found themselves aboard the doomed ship.
- Michael Rennie joined the Royal Air Force in 1941, training as a fighter pilot in the United States under the Arnold Plan. While at Napier Field, Dothan, Alabama for his advanced flight training he was asked by fellow trainee, Scotsman Jack Morton, what he did in civilian life. Rennie told Morton and the other pilots gathered around that he was a movie actor. They stared at him in disbelief then broke out in a chorus of laughter. A couple of nights later Rennie and his classmates went into town to watch a movie, "Ships with Wings". Not long into the movie, and much to the surprise of those seated with him, Michael Rennie appeared on the screen as Royal Navy Pilot "Lt. Maxwell"
- In his best known film, the classic sci-fi The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), a scene was cut that showed his even-tempered alien character Klaatu in an emotional state.
- A heavy smoker, Rennie had respiratory problems for many years. During the run of the Broadway comedy "Mary, Mary" in the early 60s, Rennie had to visit the hospital several times. His voice was dubbed in the 1968 movie The Battle of El Alamein due to his chronic health problems.
- Appeared in The Thirteenth Letter (1951) for director Otto Preminger, who later named Rennie as a third party to his countersuit of adultery against his wife during divorce proceedings in 1958.
More...
This page is the FamousFix profile for Michael Rennie. Content on this page is contributed by editors who belong to our editorial community. We welcome your contributions... so please create an account if you would like to collaborate with other editor's in helping to shape this website.
On the Michael Rennie page you will be able to add and update factual information, post media and connect this topic to other topics on the website. This website does skew towards famous actors, musicians, models and sports stars, however we would like to expand that to include many other interesting topics.